A motorcyclist leaves the gasoline station after refuelling his automobile in Taipei, Taiwan. The nation rejected a proposal by China for what it stated would be vitality safety if the island agreed to Beijing’s rule
| Picture Credit score: Reuters
Taiwan’s authorities on Thursday (March 19, 2026) rejected a proposal by China for what it stated would be vitality safety if the island agreed to Beijing’s rule, an anticipated response given Taipei has lengthy stated it doesn’t need to be ruled by its large neighbour.
Governments around the globe are scrambling for various vitality provides for the reason that U.S.-Israeli warfare on Iran severed transport lanes by way of the very important Strait of Hormuz.
Taiwan, which had obtained a 3rd of its liquefied pure gasoline from Qatar and sources no vitality from China, has stated it has secured various provides for the months forward, together with from america, the island’s fundamental worldwide backer.
In response to China’s provide, Taiwan Deputy Economic system Minister Ho Chin-tsang instructed lawmakers in parliament: “After all, that is unimaginable. That is a part of cognitive warfare.”
He was referring to what Taiwan’s authorities views as Beijing’s ongoing psychological stress on the island.
“On vitality, we in Taiwan have made preparations, we’ve got security reserves and response plans,” Mr. Ho added.
Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Workplace, stated in Beijing on Wednesday that “peaceable reunification” would convey higher safety of Taiwan’s vitality and useful resource safety with a “sturdy motherland” as its backing.
Taiwan’s authorities rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims and says solely the island’s folks can determine their future.
China has lengthy supplied Taiwan “one nation, two methods” autonomy if it agrees to be introduced below Beijing’s management, which no main Taiwanese political social gathering helps.
In October, China’s official Xinhua information company mapped out what it stated have been the benefits Taiwan would get pleasure from after “reunification”, together with financial assist, however stated the island needed to be run by “patriots”.
China has by no means renounced the usage of power to convey Taiwan below its management.
China, the world’s prime oil importer, final week banned gasoline exports till no less than the top of March, in an try and pre-empt home shortages, sources stated, curbing exports that final 12 months totalled $22 billion.
Printed – March 19, 2026 01:26 pm IST